Floyd Deion Bleer

Floyd “Deion” Bleer of Paden, Oklahoma, passed away on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 in Paden, at the age of 85. Deion was born on November 10, 1939 in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. He was the son of George Leslie and Malie Mahatible (Roberts) Bleer. Deion graduated from Ada High School and then was the first in his family to attend college. He married Theresa Mae Larman on June 7, 1958 and together, they had two children, Sandra and Randy. Deion’s college career included both East Central University and Southwestern Oklahoma State University, where he obtained his Master of Education Degree. Deion married Kathy Lea Shivers on June 29, 1973, in Okemah, Oklahoma.

Deion’s teaching and coaching career took him all over the state. He taught many subjects, including History, both US and Oklahoma, Geography, Driver’s Education, Sociology, Woodshop, Psychology, Civics and Drafting. Deion was also a basketball coach. He coached and taught at Caddo, Cache, Paden, Fletcher, Washita Heights and Earlsboro. Throughout his long career, he no doubt influenced many young people all over the state of Oklahoma.

Deion enjoyed coin collecting and wood working. He was also a long-time member of the Earlsboro Free Will Baptist Church, where he taught adult Sunday School classes for more than thirty-six years and served more than thirty-six years as a Deacon. Deion always put God first in his life and lived in Jesus’ example. He passed that on to his children and grandchildren, whom he adored. 

Deion was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Theresa; his sister, Winona Davis, his brothers, W.L. White, Ronald Dean Bleer, Gayle Bleer and Arley Bleer.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of more than 51 years, Kathy Lea Bleer; his daughter, Sandra Lackey and her husband, Paul; his son, Randy Bleer and his wife, Sherry; six grandchildren, Keli, Luke, Cara, Breanna, Tess and Katie; eleven great-grandchildren, Cole, Weston, Brix, Makenna, Ella, Emma, Atticus, Jasper, Eliza, Olivia and Nora; one great, great-grandchild, Emma Joy; his sister, Mitta Simpson and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.